From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

SUZUKI TEST NEW BRIDGESTONE TYRES

Team Suzuki Press Office – November 30, 2003

Team Suzuki rider John Hopkins and factory tester Kosuko Akioshi completed three days of tyre tests at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia today, making their first acquaintance with the Bridgestone tyres that the MotoGP team will use for next year’s World Championship campaign. Riders and team came away with very promising results.

Full-time GP rider John Hopkins not only praised the tyres for their performance and consistency. The 20-year-old Anglo-American also improved on the best race lap time set by a Suzuki GSV-R MotoGP machine, at this year’s Malaysian GP.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Hopkins, who faced both wet and dry conditions at the Sepang circuit. “So I was pretty pleased to find out the tyres work really good.

“It gives us all a positive feeling to go into the winter break, after doubts about what to expect,” he added.

Team Suzuki announced only a few days before that they had decided to switch from a long-standing and very successful relationship with Michelin to join forces with the Japanese tyre company Bridgestone for 2004. One advantage is geographic and cultural – both companies are based in Japan, and their development engineers will be able to work closely. Another strength is the rapid development of the Bridgestone tyres during 2003, competing for pole positions and rostrum finishes in only their second year in the premier class.

“I was impressed from the first laps,” said Hopkins. “Tyres are so important, so I have to admit I was a little concerned about what I might find. Right away the grip was good, and when we started racking up more laps the tyres were consistent.

“I was able to get to lap times definitely competitive with what we had earlier in the year. It’s going to be real interesting to work with these guys,” he added.

Team manager Garry Taylor reflected the positive reaction of the Grand Prix squad, after their first experience working with Bridgestone.

“We had three days, but John was only able to do 25 laps on the first day because of the rain. He was really impatient to get back on the bike for the second day, which is a very good sign; and he ran nearly 60 laps, almost three times race distance,” said Taylor.

“The good performance of the tyres wasn’t such a surprise. Everyone has noticed Bridgestone’s rapid rise in results and performance over the past two seasons.

“We were all very impressed with the attitude of the Bridgestone technicians. They are obviously very serious about taking a step up next year. Suzuki feel the same way, and together with Bridgestone we’re looking for success,” concluded Taylor.

The tests were run using the 2003 GSV-R MotoGP racer in the specification in which it finished the season, allowing a direct comparison of performance. At the same time, Suzuki factory race department engineers were hard at work on next year’s development of the 990cc V4 four-stroke racer.

From a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

Sepang, Malaysia
Sunday November 30 2003

UPBEAT FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM COMPLETE LAST TEST OF 2003

The Fortuna Yamaha Team concluded their three-day test in Sepang today satisfied with the progress made by Spanish rider Carlos Checa. Bad weather interrupted Friday’s testing at the Malaysian circuit but conditions improved yesterday and today, leaving the team plenty of dry track time to achieve their goals.

In their last test of 2003 the Factory Team continued development with Yamaha’s latest-spec Deltabox frame, first introduced during the Valencia Grand Prix. Checa switched between 2003-spec and new-spec chassis, as well as testing new Michelin front tyres. The Spaniard was joined on the track by Yamaha test riders Norick Abe and Norihiko Fujiwara, both of whom rode with the new tyres whilst focusing on Magneti Marelli’s fuel injection system.

“I’m quite tired!” commented Checa, having put in around 60 laps today. “Yesterday was better than Friday, and then today was even more useful again. I tested new front tyres with the 2003-spec chassis and the new chassis. I’m quite satisfied because I confirmed valuable information to Yamaha’s engineers and Michelin on the advantages and weak points of the tyre combinations with both chassis. My best lap times were okay but I was focusing more on giving feedback than going for the fastest time.

“I think we still need to make some improvements to both the chassis and the engine but we have a reasonable point to start from at our next test here in January, and we’ll concentrate on using the new chassis from then on. Next year is not going to be easy and you never know how much the competitors will improve. Anyway we definitely have a good starting point. I’m going to Italy next week to do some technical work on my leathers with Alpinestars, then to ride a Supermotard at the Bologna Motorshow. I’ll head home to the UK after that, then for Christmas I will probably go to visit family in Spain, then go skiing until the New Year either in France or Italy. I need to relax a bit before next year!”

Team Director Davide Brivio was also pleased with the test results, “Carlos has worked really hard and we’re happy with the progress made”, he said. “He put in some longer runs with the new Michelin tyres and was able to keep close enough to his recent race pace. Abe and Fujiwara helped us a lot with the new tyres and looking at our Magneti Marelli system. All in all it’s a good starting point for 2004.”



The Yamaha Factory Team’s next test will take place in Sepang on the 24/25/26 January.

From a press release by Ducati North America, Inc.:

Subject: Ducati Corse Calendars – Part Number #91711241A



Get ready for Christmas and New Years. Ducati Corse 2004 Calendars are ready for purchase at your local Ducati dealer.

These calendars feature pictures of the riders from our 2003 SBK and MotoGP teams dragging body parts and backin’ em in on the tracks of the world. Celebrate what has already become season to remember for Ducatisti worldwide.



Remember these calendars are the perfect gift choice for that Ducati owner in the office or for the friends and families of Ducatisti who never know what give for Christmas.

Retail : $9.95

From a press release issued by Fortuna Yamaha:

FORTUNA YAMAHA TEAM TESTS
Sepang, Malaysia
Friday November 28 2003

RAIN INTERRUPTS FIRST DAY OF FORTUNA YAMAHA SEPANG TEST

Bad weather marred an otherwise positive day of testing for the Fortuna Yamaha Team on the first of their three-day test in Sepang today. Factory Team rider Carlos Checa completed three beneficial hours of testing on his YZR-M1 before the heavens opened over the Malaysian circuit. The Spaniard waited in the garage with his crew but the track did not dry sufficiently for him to continue testing into the latter part of the afternoon.

Checa spent the morning continuing to develop the new evolution of Yamaha’s Deltabox frame, which was first introduced during the Valencia Grand Prix almost one month ago. The thirty-one-year old compared the new spec with the 2003-spec chassis alongside Yamaha test riders Norick Abe and Norihiko Fujiwara. Checa completed 30 laps before the rain interrupted his rhythm, with a best lap time of 2:04.9, and Japanese riders Abe and Fujiwara continued testing on the wet track.

“I managed to get in about three hours before the rain started,” said Checa. “It wasn’t exactly a surprise as it’s been raining here at the same time in the afternoon for the past few days. I still had enough time to give some information to the Yamaha engineers comparing engine data between the two chassis specs I was testing and understanding where the benefits are. I couldn’t finish the day because of the rain but I’m still quite positive and found the hours we had worthwhile. It will be frustrating, however, if it rains again tomorrow.”

Fortuna Yamaha’s three-day Sepang test continues tomorrow and Sunday. (A further press release will be issued on Sunday.)

From a press release issued by Infineon Raceway:

ATTIK Gets Green Flag as Agency of Record for Infineon Raceway

SONOMA, Calif. – Global brand communications group ATTIK today announced that it has been awarded the national advertising account for California-based Infineon Raceway, owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports Inc, (NYSE: TRK), a leading U.S. marketer and promoter of
motorsports entertainment.

ATTIK earned the strategic and creative account in a highly competitive pitch against six other agencies from across the U.S. The pitch from ATTIK’s San Francisco team focused on the firm’s passion for and experience in the auto and entertainment categories, their strategic processes, their approach to igniting established brands and their full-service capabilities that span all forms of media.

“Our event advertising needs to reach fans in their hearts,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway, located in Sonoma in the Bay Area. “The visceral intensity of the live motor racing experience is unique in sports, and we need advertising that communicates the special nature of that experience in a way that makes it a compelling, not-to-be-missed opportunity. The work we saw from ATTIK and the time we spent with them convinced us they understand that passion and can deliver our message in a way that will resonate with our fans.”

ATTIK will provide full creative and production services for a campaign set to cover NASCAR, American Le Mans, NHRA, vintage automobile races and AMA Superbike racing events using print, radio and television. The campaign may also incorporate non-traditional or guerilla elements.

“As Steve indicates, the events at Infineon Raceway package spectacular emotional experiences that appeal to a wide – and quickly growing – segment of consumers,” said ATTIK’s global creative director Simon Needham. “Based on the massive fun we’ve had creating results-oriented campaigns for the auto and entertainment industries, our team is mad for Infineon – and we can’t wait to start concepting for their next season of events.”

Melvyn Record, director of marketing for Infineon Raceway, indicated that the first elements to break will likely be a television campaign timed to coincide with the Daytona 500 next Feb., or the Daytona 200 AMA motorcycle event next March.

Notably, ATTIK also serves as creative agency of record for Scion, the new car marque from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., where their studied targeting of Generation Y and their intense non-traditional marketing initiatives are spearheading a dramatically successful roll-out of the new vehicles, first in California and now across the U.S.

About ATTIK

ATTIK is a global brand communications group committed to designing extraordinary creative experiences that inspire consumers through compelling communications. ATTIK’s strategic planning, design, advertising, cross media production, client service and youth research expertise have driven success across an array of consumer product and service categories. ATTIK articulates corporate brand strategy, designs creative solutions and produces for every medium. For more information, please visit www.attik.com or email Lisa Cleff, vice president of business development and marketing, at [email protected].

About Speedway Motorsports

Speedway Motorsports (NYSE: TRK) is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The Company owns and operates the following premiere speedways: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. The Company provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiary, and manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars through its 600 Racing subsidiary. The Company also owns Performance Racing Network (PRN) which broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to more than 725 radio stations nationwide including XM Satellite and NASCAR.com. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.gospeedway.com.

From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

EMMETT TO RACE FOR MONSTERMOB DUCATI

Former Grand Prix racer Sean Emmett will spearhead MonsterMob Ducati’s campaign for a third successive British Superbike Championship title in 2004.

The 33 year old from Weybridge, Surrey will replace Moto GP bound 2003 champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne in the Paul Bird Motorsport squad having turned down a number of lucrative offers to sign for the defending champions.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to prove what I’m capable of after the injuries and uncertainties of the past few seasons” said Emmett who finished fifth in the 2003 title chase.

“As soon as I talked with Paul, I knew I wanted to ride for the team. There were a few things to sort out and I had offers still coming in but I had no doubts in my mind that this was the team for me. After all, just look at their success record over the past three years, why wouldn’t I want to be part of that?”

Emmett had four seasons in the 500cc world championship between 1993 and 1996, scoring a best final placing of 15th in 1994, before returning to race full time in the UK domestic series commencing in 1997.

An injury affected year in 1998 saw him salvage ninth in the series before a move to Ducati machinery heralded sixth place in 1999 aboard the Reve Red Bull bikes. An abortive year on an uncompetitive Honda SP1 followed in 2000 before he was reunited with the Reve Red Bull Ducati team in 2001 where he finished in third place. It was that season that Sean is best remembered when, after being injured early in the season, he magnanimously helped team mate John Reynolds to the title, ironically pipping MonsterMob’s Steve Hislop who was injured at the penultimate round.

2002 saw him take the title battle with Hislop to the final round despite having to change teams mid season from the IFC Ducati to a Virgin Mobile Yamaha R1. However, a crash saw him leave Donington with a broken wrist and only third place for his troubles and history was to repeat itself in a fashion when 2003 saw him have to change teams from Renegade Ducati to ETI Ducati also.

Team owner Paul Bird was left with a difficult decision as he contemplated Byrne’s replacement but in the end, he decided Emmett was the man to front an unprecedented championship hat trick bid: “At one point, there were around a dozen names in the hat and the team and I had some serious decision making to do. We took our time as we wanted to make sure we had the right person to give us our best chance of the hat-trick. Sean’s Ducati experience was an important factor and we will continue with our proven formula of gearing the team around him” said Bird.


Full Name: Sean Nicholas Emmett

Date of Birth: 04/02/70 – aged 33

Occupation: Professional Motorcycle Racer

Place of Birth: Walton-on-Thames, England

Home Town: Weybridge, Surrey, England

Nickname: None

Hobbies: Football (Arsenal supporter), Shooting, Golf

Injuries: Too many to list

First Race: 1989 Brands Hatch

Favourite Circuits: Brands Hatch

Race Machine: Ducati 999

Career Highlights:
3rd British Superbike Championship (twice)
15th World 500cc Championship


Career History.

1989 KRC 350cc Production Champion, Runner up Bemsee 350cc Production Championship

1992 Runner up (to crew chief Phil Borley!) British SS600 C’ship, 3rd British Supersport 400 Championship

1993 19th 500cc World Championship (Yamaha)

1994 15th 500cc World Championship (Yamaha/Suzuki)

1995 21st 500cc World Championship (Yamaha)

1996 22nd 500cc World Championship (Yamaha)

1998 9th British Superbike Championship (Honda)

1999 6th British Superbike Championship (Ducati)

2000 10th British Superbike Championship (Honda)

2001 3rd British Superbike Championship (Ducati)

2002 3rd British Superbike Championship (Ducati/Yamaha)

2003 5th British Superbike Championship (Ducati)

From a press release issued by Brainerd International Raceway:

BIR teams with mines to advance use of taconite asphalt

Meeting at Keewatin Taconite brings together agencies, mines, others

KEEWATIN, Minn. ­ A month after Brainerd International Raceway officials impressed U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar by introducing him to their newly resurfaced drag strip that features special taconite tailings-based asphalt, it became clear that BIR could play a significant role in advancing the use of taconite tailings as a substrate in asphalt that’s used on public
roadways.

That was evidenced Monday during a meeting at Keewatin Taconite, where BIR was invited to join a discussion about taconite tailings with a variety of agencies and organizations. The meeting was organized by the Itasca Development Corp.

The focus of the meeting was primarily the efforts of the Tinklenberg Group and the Duluth-based Natural Resources Research Institute, which are working to prove to states and contractors that taconite tailings are a viable alternative as an asphalt substrate. They’ve been working to eliminate the barriers for using taconite tailings in asphalt, which would generate new
revenue streams for Minnesota’s taconite mines, create jobs on the Iron Range and reduce the need to repave public roads as often because taconite
tailings produce an asphalt that is significantly more durable than asphalt with rock aggregate as the substrate.

The Twin Cities-based Tinklenberg Group, headed by former Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg, has been working with a
number of states as far east as Pennsylvania and including Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, among others, to encourage the use of taconite tailings for paving projects. Many states, including Minnesota, are experiencing a shortage of rock aggregate for a number of reasons, one of which is that companies are finding it increasingly difficult to get permits
to open rock quarries. But the most important factor facing states, Tinklenberg said, is the emphasis they’re putting on developing long-lasting asphalt that doesn’t need to be replaced as often.

Taconite tailings, which is the course, jagged rock-like material left behind from the taconite mining process, is found in abundance on the Iron
Range in northeast Minnesota. The biggest obstacle to using taconite tailings is transportation. Because tailings are so dense and heavy, it’s very expensive to transport them. The answer, Tinklenberg said, seems to be in using rail and waterways. BIR, for example, bought its tailings from EVTAC in Eveleth, Minn., for $1 per ton but had to spend $7,000 to truck 700 tons from Eveleth to the track.

BIR has been in contact with a number of race tracks throughout the country that have heard of the success it’s had with its new track (one world record and a national record last summer), and are interested in gathering more
information. BIR is currently pursuing a federal grant to use taconite tailings-based asphalt to repave its three-mile road course and then allow
the Minnesota Department of Transportation and other agencies to use the track as a test facility. One of those agencies could be the state Department of Public Safety, which must use a road course to train its highway patrols annually. The track, of course, would continue to be used for world-class racing.

“We’d love to help out in any way possible to advance the use of this material,” Quick said of the taconite tailings. “We have the perfect
facility for testing and we welcome the opportunity to work with state agencies to move that forward. Our central location within the state and the fact that most of our racing events take place on weekends makes it an ideal
situation for the state.”

BIR’s parent company, Sports Resorts International Inc., its Board of Directors and BIR President Bill Singleterry support the gesture 100 percent and encourage the state to work with BIR on this issue.

Monday’s meeting also was attended by representatives of the Itasca County Board, CR Meyer (the contractor that built BIR’s track), the City of Hibbing, Keewatin Taconite and its sister mine, MnTAC, and Sen. Tom Saxhaug,
DFL-Grand Rapids.

BIR is a subsidiary of Michigan-based Sports Resorts International Inc., a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ exchange (SPRI). Now in its 34th season, BIR is one of North America’s largest racetracks, featuring 800 acres of rustic camping, 159 full-service RV sites and on-site condos. BIR is about 120 miles north of the Twin Cities, and it now has a new concrete drag strip that is one of the flattest and fastest in the country. Visit www.brainerdraceway.com.

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service:

SUZUKI TO RACE WITH BRIDGESTONE IN 2004

Suzuki Grand Prix Team, the factory MotoGP team, will switch to Japanese Bridgestone tyres for next year’s World Championship assault.

The 2004 season is vitally important to Suzuki and the GSV-R development program has already been accelerated with a view to regaining the competitive edge in the premier racing class. With both the Bridgestone and Suzuki factories and race engineering headquarters located in Japan, the development program will benefit from faster communications, greater testing opportunities and enhanced engineering development.

Bridgestone has made great advances in their MotoGP tire program in 2003. The company joined the premier class for the first time in 2002 and in only their second season, Bridgestone-shod machines were challenging for pole position and finishing in top-three rostrum positions. The overall development of Bridgestone tyre performance has impressed many observers over the last 12 months and they were able to keep pace while still learning the special demands of the fastest and most powerful racing motorcycles. This proves the high level of their technology, and gives Suzuki confidence in future tyre development.

Suzuki Motor Corporation would like to express its sincere gratitude and goodwill to Michelin, the factory’s racing partners for nearly three decades. Together Suzuki and Michelin have won six World Championships, achieving racing success both on the 500cc two-strokes and the new-generation 990cc four-strokes. The partnership has been valuable to both, and the good relationship between the Japanese motorcycle factory and the French tyre manufacturers remains otherwise unchanged.

From a press release issued by KTM:

Stoner takes first victory with KTM in Australia

After the first Grand Prix victory of his career at Valencia one month ago, new KTM signing Casey Stoner took his first win for the Austrian factory in an Australian dirt track race last week. The 18 year old picked up a 450cc cross bike on his return home from Spain and collected a win and a second place on his first competitive appearance aboard the distinctive orange and black livery.

“The bike was incredible – all we did was put a new rear tyre on it, take two clicks of compression off the front suspension and adjust the gearing a little bit and it was set up perfectly for dirt track,” explained Stoner, who won the 125cc Rookie of the Year after finishing eighth in the championship. “I was racing against the Australian Long Track Champion and a few other fast guys who were extra determined to beat me, so the competition was pretty tough but I enjoyed it. There is another race at the start of December but I won’t be able to compete because it is too close to my first winter tests.”

Stoner is set to fly to Europe on the 7th December for a three-day shakedown session with the KTM Grand Prix outfit at Estoril and revealed that he was looking forward to the challenge. “It is quite a big thing for me because I’ll be travelling over to Europe without my parents for the first time in four years, meeting a completely new team and riding a completely new bike but I really can’t wait to get started. I met most of the guys at Valencia and they seemed really nice, and it will be important to try and build a relationship with them as quickly as possible. I guess I will come away from Estoril either feeling very excited about the season or knowing that I have a lot of work to do over the winter – but either way I am anxious to get on with it.”

In the meantime, the youngster will be trying to fight the tedium of the off-season interval and enjoy an unusually dull summer at his home near Sydney. “The weather really hasn’t picked up here at all yet and the fishing season hasn’t started, so I’m finding it hard to find things to do. Really all I’m thinking about is getting to Estoril in a few weeks’ time and starting my work with KTM – it should be a massive season for me and I am determined to give it everything.”